Not back and neither is Bobby Bowden

UM, FSU

This rivalry is missing some of its charm, and that includes Bobby's presence

October 19, 2012|Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel Columnist

He was laughing again, the way he always did, and telling one dadgum story after another, the way he has forever. Bobby Bowden was being Bobby Bowden, which means everyone at the table was leaning closer as he talked about the Miami-Florida State rivalry he knew.

"I coached for 34 years, more than 300 games, and when we played Miami in 1987 and lost by a point — I went for two, remember — I don't think I've ever seen a football field with more talent on it,'' Bowden said. "The sideline had more talent than most games."

He nudged a neighbor with an elbow, bringing everyone closer. "I just wish they had a little less of that talent on their sideline," he said.

He laughed then in a way that was contagious. Everyone at the table laughed. It was like old times again. Bobby being Bobby. He was here, on the eve of Florida State playing Miami, for a charity luncheon with former Miami coach Dennis Erickson and former Miami great Gino Torretta.

But then something was said about his watching Florida State play Miami on Saturday night in Sun Life Stadium, and Bobby's face lost the fun in it. The temperature changed at the table.

"No, I won't be there,'' he said. "I'm catching a plane back home [Friday night]."

He won't go to the game?

"I don't go to any of their games,'' he said, meaning those of the school he made famous, Florida State.

An awkward silence fell.

"It's not time yet,'' he said. "I'll know when it's the right time. But that time hasn't come yet."

It's three years now since Bowden was forced off the sideline, and everyone's still struggling with it. Florida State football, just like Miami's, keeps trying to get back to where it once was.

Its fans, like Miami's fans, want to believe mightily that the new coach is the answer. Its season, like Miami's season, needs a good game Saturday night to provide some chance of that.

But there's the present-day picture of these teams, and the bigger thought that Bowden still hasn't made up with his university. Or his university hasn't made up with him. Or something.

He's a great man, a proud man, an impressively unique man. And he's something else, if we're going to be as dadgum honest as he always was, even in the toughest of the Wide Right losses.

He's an 82-year-old man.

Isn't it time to kiss and make up while there's still time? Can't someone make this happen?

Bowden tried to bring the humor back to the table. He said he's been busy speaking around the country and playing golf, and that last year, once on a Saturday, he sat outside at an Alabama game just to see what it was like as a fan.

"You know what I found?" he said. "I think it's easier to stay at home and watch the game on the TV. All the traffic and people. Yes, I think it's probably easier to watch a game on TV."

Up with a microphone, speaking at the luncheon, someone asked Bowden who the toughest Hurricane player he faced was. He couldn't place the quarterback's name. Suggestions came from the audience.

"Vinny Testaverde?" someone said.

"No, he's not the one,'' Bowden said.

Craig Erickson? Steve Walsh? Bowden shook his head. Ken Dorsey?

"That's him,'' he said. "He's the least known of them all, and he gave us the toughest time. We never did beat him."

He laughed about it now. That was always Bobby's best trait, finding the humor in life, no matter what it dished out. That's why no matter what side you're on Saturday night, you wish he was part of the night.

"I'll know when it's time,'' he said again.

Let's hope so. Let's hope everyone knows how much time is left on the clock, too.